Moscato d’Asti is not the only wine made out of the Moscato bianco grape in Piedmont: the region produces some of the finest wines of this grape variety under the name Asti DOCG. The two most iconic wines under this name are Asti Spumante (often called just Asti, or foaming Asti) and Moscato d’Asti (fizzy Asti). They both impart an impressive aroma, but use different vinification methods. Both wines are reminiscent of the finer pleasures in life – full of aroma and sweetness, and featuring a wonderful fresh floral taste, they are ideal to enjoy on their own or served with cheese or desserts.

An interesting note about this wine is that it is almost exclusively produced in small wineries and comes in a limited number of batches. The variety is characterized by small grains that ripen early and need continuous care, which only adds to the exclusivity of Moscato d’Asti. The same grape is used for the production of various other wine styles: dry and light, sweet and sparking, or rich dessert wines with honey flavors.The traditional pairing of the light, sweet and semi-sparkling Moscato d’Asti is appetizers such as cured meat and prosciutto or desserts and fruits. You’re best off with light and fruity desserts, such as cheesecake, pannacotta or citrus tarts. You can also make a fine Moscato cheese pairing, such as with Gorgonzola. Moscato d’Asti is a sweet sparkling wine without autolytic properties so it doesn’t detract from the fruitiness of Muscat. Serve it as an aperitif or as a palate cleanser after dinner. Or sip it poolside when the sun is high in the sky. The Asti Method

Asti, or Asti Spumante as mentioned above, is made of the same grape – Moscato bianco – and in the same region – but it is in fact it is a different wine altogether. If you’d like something that’s less sweet and more fizz, then Asti is a better choice for you. Lambrusco Loazzolo DOC: A 100% Moscato wine that’s available in a late-harvest style (aka Vendemmia Tardiva) and that’s sweetened from noble rot. Late-harvest Loazzolo has higher alcohol and sugar content (a minimum of 11% ABV). Different theories place the origins of Muscat in Oman and that it took its name from the city of Muscat, located on the coast of the Gulf of Oman. Another theory suggests Muscat was named after the Greek Moschato city, located in Attica, Southwest of the capital Athens. Besides, Moschato is a common synonym in Greece for dessert wines made from Muscat. How to Pronounce Moscato d’Asti? As to d’Asti, it is composed of two separate words. The first is di, and the second is Asti. But when together, they make a continuous word. To pronounce d’Asti, emphasize the first syllable: Moscato d’Asti is ideal to drink with strong cheeses. Creamy Camembert, Gorgonzola, Mascarpone, and Brie counterbalance the wine’s vibrant fruit-forward profile. At the same time, veined blue cheeses with pronounced flavors, like Murianengo or Gorgonzola, pair well with Moscato d’Asti. The sweetness of the Moscato offsets the saltiness of the blue cheeses, offering a marvelous food pairing. How Much Alcohol Does Moscato d’Asti Have?

Moscato wines from the area of Asti have their homeland in Canelli, a small town close to the Langhe wine region where the production of a sparkling wine from the Charmat/Martinotti method started in the nineteenth century. Colli Tortonese Moscato DOC: A minimum of 85% Moscato Bianco (aka Muscat Blanc) from the far eastern side of Piedmont. It takes its name from the town of Asti, where vineyards perch on the surrounding hills. Asti lies only a few miles from more renowned Alba (which is smaller, but is well-known for being the blessed town of Barbaresco, Barolo, hazelnuts and white truffles) on the Tanaro River, in the heart of Monferrato wine region. The Moscato d’Asti pronunciation is not challenging, even for non-native Italian speakers. Learning how to pronounce it is pivotal, however, especially when seeking to join wine-tasting circles. You can find several helpful audio and video examples of how to pronounce Moscato d’Asti online. There are three syllables in Moscato, and the emphasis falls on the second syllable. Phonetically, Moscato looks like this: The Elvio Tintero winery produces this fruity delicacy, which immediately gives off an aroma of ripe apricot and peach. The fruitiest ones of our examples, Sori Gramella is a great accompaniment to cheeses, fruits and tarts, giving a pleasant and cheerful atmosphere to the end of the evening or picnic by the lakes. Moscato d’Asti Pairings